Integrated Reusable Gift Packaging

ABSTRACT

An environmentally conscious, integrated reusable gift packaging made from a recycled durable flexible sheet material having decorative patterns and/or coloring thereon, comprised of top and bottom panels affixed together by front and rear walls, and left and right side flaps which are affixed to the bottom panel by right and left side walls, and which are foldable to lie over the top panel. Ribbon strips are affixed to one or more of the top panel, left side flap, and right side flap to close and secure the package and provide the appearance of a conventional ribbon-wrapped gift.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to reusable gift packaging for use forbirthday gifts, holiday presents, and other gift occasions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Traditionally, gift wrapping has involved placing the gift in a box,then wrapping the box by cutting gift wrap paper to the right size,taping it in place, and cutting and tying a ribbon around the wrappedbox. Paper gift wrap is typically ripped and damaged when the gift isopened and therefore discarded after a single use. Rigid boxes aredifficult to store, so they too are frequently thrown away. In somejurisdictions it is possible to recycle some of these paper andcardboard materials, but in many instances, gift wrap materials arediscarded and incinerated with other garbage. Gift wrap made from virginpulp requires the cutting of our forestland. Even gift wrap made fromrecycled paper must be reprocessed after each use and afterapproximately 5-7 cycles, it is generally no longer recyclable.Disposable gift wrap in any form, is taxing to our environment.

In addition, the process of gift wrapping can be very time consuming,particularly in large families with significant gift giving traditions.

Various reusable gift wrappings have been proposed. For example Selga,U.S. Pat. No. 5,004,144 and Hagan, U.S. Pat. No. 5,904,289 proposefabric gift wraps that can be fit around a gift box and secured withmultiple hook and loop fasteners. Kenyon, U.S. Pat. No. 5,934,548discloses an expandable sleeve that fits around a gift box. However,these prior art wrappings have generally been limited in theirapplication to use with a gift box and consist of multiple fastenings ordetachable parts.

There is a need for an environmentally conscious reusable gift wrap,that delivers the appearance of a conventionally wrapped gift, but doesnot require a gift box, scissors or tape. A gift wrap that is sturdyenough to hold its shape without a box, but flexible enough to be storedflat for later use. A gift wrap which is fully integrated, can be easilyand inexpensively fabricated and assembled, is simple to use, and givesthe wrapped gift an attractive presentation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the present invention is to provide an integratedreusable gift packaging as a replacement for a conventional gift box anddisposable wrapping paper. The use of such a reusable gift packagingwill reduce the need for forest products for the production ofdisposable gift wrapping, and reduce environmental problems associatedwith the incineration or single-use recycling of conventional giftwrapping materials.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a reusable giftpackaging that is both attractive and functional. The reusable giftpackaging of the invention requires minimal skill and only seconds toassemble. At the same time, it is economical, in that it can be reusedfor many years, thus eliminating the costs associated with annual giftwrap purchasing.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, an integratedreusable gift packaging is made from a recycled durable flexible sheetmaterial having decorative patterns and/or coloring thereon andcomprises top and bottom panels and left and right side flaps. The toppanel front end is affixed to the bottom panel front end by a frontwall; the top panel rear end is affixed to the bottom panel rear end bya rear wall; the left side flap extends from the bottom panel left sideby a left side wall; and the right side flap extends from the bottompanel right side by a right side wall. The flaps have rectangularshapes, or triangular or other tapered widths from their flap bases totheir flap ends, which are foldable to lie over the top panel.

In the preferred embodiment, a strip of ribbon is affixed to the toppanel. Left and right strips of ribbon are affixed to the left and rightside flaps and extend from the flap ends. They may be tied together toform a bow, thereby securing the gift wrap package and creating theappearance of a traditional ribbon-wrapped gift.

The present invention provides an environmentally conscious, attractive,storable and reusable gift packaging that is suitable for clothing andother articles.

Other features and aspects of the invention will become apparent fromthe following detailed description and accompanying drawings. TheSummary is not intended to limit the scope of the invention which isdefined solely by the claims attached hereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top, right side and front perspective view of a preferredembodiment of the integrated reusable gift packaging of the inventionassembled together.

FIG. 2 is a bottom, right side and rear perspective view of theintegrated reusable gift packaging of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the integrated reusable giftpackaging of FIG. 1 along the line 3-3 in FIG. 1 with a gift clothingitem shown in phantom outline.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the integrated reusable giftpackaging of FIG. 1 along the line 4-4 in FIG. 1 with a gift clothingitem shown in phantom outline.

FIG. 5 is a top, right side and front perspective view of the integratedreusable gift packaging of FIG. 1 with its ribbon untied and sides opento receive a gift therein.

FIG. 6 is a top, right side and front perspective view of an alternativeembodiment of the integrated reusable gift packaging of the inventionassembled together.

FIG. 7 is a bottom, right side and rear perspective view of theintegrated reusable gift packaging of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8A is a top, right side and front perspective view of an embodimentof an integrated reusable gift packaging of the invention with itsribbon untied and sides open to receive a gift therein.

FIG. 8B is a top, right side and front perspective view of theintegrated reusable gift packaging of FIG. 8A illustrating the placementof a gift into the packaging.

FIG. 8C is a top, right side and front perspective view of theintegrated reusable gift packaging of FIG. 8B with the gift placed intothe packaging.

FIG. 8D is a top, right side and front perspective view of theintegrated reusable gift packaging of FIG. 8C illustrating the closingof the sides of the packaging.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to all the FIGS., where like elements are indicated withthe same element number, an integrated reusable gift packaging 10 isshown. FIGS. 1, 2, and 5 are perspective views of a preferred embodimentof an integrated reusable gift packaging 10. FIGS. 3 and 4 arecross-sectional views of the integrated reusable gift packaging 10 ofFIG. 1 showing a gift clothing item 70 (in phantom outline) within thepackaging 10. FIGS. 6 and 7 are perspective views of an alternativeembodiment of an integrated reusable gift packaging.

Gift packaging 10 comprises a top panel 20 having a front end 22 and arear end 24; a bottom panel 26 having a front end 28 and a rear end 30,and a left side 32 and a right side 34.

The top panel front end 22 is affixed to the bottom panel front end 28.In the preferred embodiment, shown in the drawings, the top panel frontend 22 is affixed to the bottom panel front end 28 by a front wall 36.In the same way, in the preferred embodiment the top panel rear end 24is affixed to the bottom panel rear end 30 by a rear wall 38.

The bottom panel 26 has a right side flap 40 affixed to the bottom panelright side 34. In the preferred embodiment, shown in the drawings, theright side flap 40 is affixed to the bottom panel left side 34 by aright side wall 42. The right side flap 40 may have a rectangular shape41, as seen in FIG. 6, but preferably has a tapered width from a rightflap base 44 to a right flap end 46 as seen in FIG. 5. Right side flap40 is foldable to lie over the top panel 20. In the preferredembodiment, shown in FIG. 1-5, the right side flap 40 has a triangularshape, but other tapered shapes such as a semicircular shape or atruncated triangle or a truncated semicircular shape may be used.

The bottom panel 26 also has a left side flap 50 affixed to the bottompanel left side 32. In the preferred embodiment, shown in the drawings,the left side flap 50 is affixed to the bottom panel left side 32 by aleft side wall 52. The left side flap 50 may have a rectangular shape51, seen in FIG. 6, but preferably has a tapered width from a left flapbase 54 to a left flap end 56 as seen in FIG. 5. Left side flap 50 isfoldable to lie over the top panel 20. In the preferred embodiment,shown in FIG. 1-5, the left side flap 50 has a triangular shape, butother tapered shapes such as a semicircular shape or a truncatedtriangle or a truncated semicircular shape may be used.

The right side flap 40 and the left side flap 50 are sized to normallylie on the top panel with the right flap end 46 near to but separatedfrom the left flap end 56.

The above described panels, flaps, front wall, rear wall, left sidewall, and right side wall may be made from any durable flexible sheetmaterials. It is preferable that they contain recycled content that mayinclude but is not limited to recycled polypropylene or polyethylenematerials. Preferably, the integrated reusable gift packaging 10 is madefrom 100% recycled materials, but it is not a necessary element of theinvention that it have 100% recycled materials, and as used herein,“made from recycled materials” is defined as having a percentage ofrecycled materials which is sufficient to allow advertising of theproduct as having at least some recycled content, consistent withindustry guidelines and consumer protection laws and regulations.

The sheet materials preferably are imprinted with decorative patternsand/or coloring and/or have other decorative elements and features. Forexample, an integrated reusable gift packaging 10 in accordance with theinvention that is intended as holiday gift wrapping could be plaid, orred with white snowflakes. Birthday gift wrapping may feature a cake andcandle motif. In some embodiments, the sheet materials may be selectedwith interesting textures, for example fleece textured materials madefrom recycled PET might be used. The sheet materials may be either awoven fabric or a nonwoven fabric.

In manufacturing the above described panels, flaps, front wall, rearwall, left side wall, and right side wall, the components may be cut asa single piece of material which is then folded and shaped into thefinished integrated reusable gift packaging 10, or they may beseparately cut out and assembled together to form the reusable giftpackaging 10. In order to have an attractive package, the edges whereeach of the panels, flaps, front wall, rear wall, left side wall, andright side wall connect to an adjoining piece should be a crisp definedline. This can be accomplished by using a heated die to shape the sheetmaterials into the finished gift packaging 10. In another approach, theedges may be defined by stitching or gluing, connecting togetheradjacent pieces to define a crisp edge. For example, the front wall,rear wall, left side wall, and right side wall may be separate piecesthat are stitched to the panels creating defined edges.

In the preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the gift packagingis provided with ribbon and bow as follows. A top strip of ribbon 60 isaffixed to and centered on the top panel 20 and extends from the toppanel front end 22 to the top panel rear end 24. A right strip of ribbon62, made from the same material as the top strip of ribbon 60 is affixedto and centered on the right side flap 40 and extends from the rightflap base 44 to the right flap end 46 and beyond the right flap end 46.A left strip of ribbon 64, also made from the same material as the topstrip of ribbon 60, is affixed to and centered on the left side flap 50and extends from the left flap base 54 to the left flap end 56 andextends beyond the left flap end 56. The right strip of ribbon 62 andthe left strip of ribbon 64 have lengths selected such that they can betied together to form a bow 66, thereby securing the package andcreating the appearance of a traditional ribbon-wrapped gift. In thepreferred embodiment, ribbons 60, 62, and 64 are fabric ribbons that arecolored and/or patterned to coordinate with the sheet materials used tomake the panels, flaps, front wall, rear wall, left side wall, and rightside wall of the packaging 10.

Desirably, ribbons 60, 62, and 64 contain at least a percentage, up to100%, of recycled content that may include but is not limited torecycled polyethylene, cotton or other recycled fabric materials.

A further enhanced ribbon wrapped embodiment is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7,wherein the gift packaging is provided with ribbon that extends to thewalls and bottom panel of packaging 10. The further enhanced ribbonwrapped embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7 has the top strip of ribbon 60, aright strip of ribbon 62, and a left strip of ribbon 64, as discussedwith reference to FIGS. 1-2. Additionally, top strip of ribbon 60extends around the front, bottom and back of packaging 10. Top strip ofribbon 60 may include some or all of the additional elements: a frontstrip 60 a and a rear strip 60 b, and long bottom strip 60 d. In thesame way, right strip 62 may include a right side strip 62 a, and leftstrip 64 may include a similar mirror image left side strip, and a shortbottom strip 63. As with the other ribbon strips, the ribbon strips arefabric ribbons that are colored and/or patterned to coordinate with thesheet materials used to make the panels, flaps, front wall, rear wall,left side wall, and right side wall of the packaging.

In addition, the further enhanced ribbon wrapped embodiment shown inFIGS. 6 and 7 may optionally include a pre-tied bow 66 a at the end ofthe left strip of ribbon 64 (or alternatively, the right strip of ribbon62), with a hook and loop fastener affixed to the underside of the bow.In this case, the fastener is mated with a hook and loop fastener on theright strip of ribbon 62 (or alternatively, the left strip of ribbon 64)to close and secure the package. Alternately, a snap fastener may beused.

An optional feature of the integrated gift packaging 10 is a cardholder43 affixed to the top panel 20, right side flap 40, or left side flap50. An optional cardholder is illustrated, for example, in FIG. 6affixed to the right side flap 40. Cardholder 43 may be of anyconvenient shape or size appropriate to hold a small card or gift tag.Cardholder 43 is a single sheet or dual sheet pocket glued or stitchedto the relevant panel or flap and may be made of the same or differentmaterials as the panel or flap.

FIGS. 8A-8D illustrate the use of the integrated reusable gift packaging10 of the invention with a gift clothing item 70. FIG. 8A illustratesthe open integrated reusable gift packaging 10 having a gift receivingcavity 68. FIG. 8B illustrates the placement of gift clothing item 70into the gift receiving cavity 68 of the gift packaging 10 by sidewayssliding of the gift clothing item 70 into gift receiving cavity 68through an open side of the packaging 10. FIG. 8C illustrates the giftclothing item 70 positioned in the gift receiving cavity 68. FIG. 8Dillustrates the closing of right and left flaps 40, 50 to enclose thegift clothing item 70 in the gift receiving cavity 68 of packaging 10.

The present invention accordingly provides an integrated reusable giftpackaging that is durable and attractive. It is easy to use, easy tostore and has the ability to greatly reduce the waste generated bytraditional paper gift wrapping.

What is claimed is:
 1. An integrated reusable gift packaging,comprising: a top panel having a front end and a rear end; a bottompanel having a front end and a rear end and a right side and a leftside; the top panel front end being affixed to the bottom panel frontend by a front wall; the top panel rear end being affixed to the bottompanel rear end by a rear wall; the bottom panel having a left side flapaffixed to the bottom panel left side by a left side wall; the left sideflap having a tapered width from a left flap base to a left flap end,and being foldable to lie over the top panel; the bottom panel having aright side flap affixed to the bottom panel right side by a right sidewall, the right side flap having a tapered width from a right flap baseto a right flap end, and being foldable to lie over the top panel; theleft side flap and the right side flap being sized to normally lie overthe top panel with the left flap end separated from the right flap end;the panels, flaps, front wall, rear wall, left side wall, and right sidewall defining a gift receiving cavity; the panels, flaps, front wall,rear wall, left side wall, and right side wall being made from durableflexible sheet materials having decorative patterns and/or coloringthereon; a left strip of ribbon, affixed to the left side flap andextending from the left flap base to the left flap end and extendingbeyond the left flap end; a right strip of ribbon, affixed to the rightside flap and extending from the right flap base to the right flap endand extending beyond the right flap end; the left strip of ribbon andthe right strip of ribbon having lengths selected such that the leftstrip of ribbon and the right strip of ribbon may be tied together toform a bow, thereby securing the gift wrap package and creating theappearance of a traditional ribbon-wrapped package.
 2. The integratedreusable gift packaging of claim 1, further comprising one or more ofthe following affixed to the package: a strip of ribbon on the toppanel, a front strip of ribbon, a rear strip of ribbon, a left sidestrip of ribbon, and a right side strip of ribbon.
 3. The integratedreusable gift packaging of claim 1, wherein the panels walls and flapsare a woven or non-woven fabric.
 4. The integrated reusable giftpackaging of claim 1, wherein the panels, walls and flaps, are made fromrecycled material.
 5. The integrated reusable gift packaging of claim 1,wherein the ribbons are made from recycled material.
 6. The integratedreusable gift packaging of claim 1, further comprising a cardholderaffixed to the top panel, left side flap, or right side flap.
 7. Anintegrated reusable gift packaging, comprising: a top panel having afront end and a rear end; a bottom panel having a front end and a rearend and a right side and a left side; the top panel front end beingaffixed to the bottom panel front end by a front wall; the top panelrear end being affixed to the bottom panel rear end by a rear wall; thebottom panel having a left side flap affixed to the bottom panel leftside by a left side wall; the left side flap being foldable to lie overthe top panel; the bottom panel having a right side flap affixed to thebottom panel right side by a right side wall, the right side beingfoldable to lie over the top panel; the left side flap and the rightside flap being sized to normally lie over the top panel with the leftside flap separated from the right side flap; the panels and flaps beingmade from a durable flexible sheet material and having decorativepatterns and/or coloring thereon; the panels and the flaps defining agift receiving cavity; ribbon strips affixed to the left side flap andto the right side flap that come together to secure the package andprovide the appearance of a traditional ribbon-wrapped gift.
 8. Theintegrated reusable gift packaging of claim 7, wherein said ribbonstrips further comprise: the left strip of ribbon extending from a leftflap base to a left flap end and extending beyond the left flap end; theright strip of ribbon extending from a right flap base to a right flapend and extending beyond the right flap end; the left strip of ribbonand the right strip of ribbon having lengths selected such that the leftstrip of ribbon and the right strip of ribbon may be tied together toform a bow.
 9. The integrated reusable gift packaging of claim 7,comprising one or more of the following, affixed to the package: a stripof ribbon on the top panel, a front strip of ribbon, a rear strip ofribbon, a left side strip of ribbon, and a right side strip of ribbon.10. The integrated reusable gift packaging of claim 7, wherein saidribbon strips comprise a pre-formed bow and fastening means.
 11. Theintegrated reusable gift packaging of claim 10, wherein the fasteningmeans comprises a hook and loop fastener.
 12. The integrated reusablegift packaging of claim 10 wherein the fastening means comprises a snap.13. The integrated reusable gift packaging of claim 7, wherein thepanels, walls and flaps are made from recycled materials.
 14. Theintegrated reusable gift packaging of claim 7, wherein the ribbons aremade from recycled material.
 15. The integrated reusable gift packagingof claim 7, wherein the panels, walls and flaps are a woven fabric or anon-woven fabric.
 16. The integrated reusable gift packaging of claim 7,wherein the left side flap has a tapered width from a left flap base toa left flap end, and the right side flap has a tapered width from aright flap base to a right flap end.
 17. The integrated reusable giftpackaging of claim 7, wherein the left side flap and the right side flapare generally rectangular.
 18. The integrated reusable gift packaging ofclaim 7, further comprising a cardholder affixed to the top panel, leftside flap, or right side flap.